Baxter commences trial of stem cells in coronary artery disease

By Staff Writer

Baxter Healthcare has initiated a first-of-its-kind phase II trial in the US to evaluate blood-derived selected CD34+ stem cells in the treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia, a severe form of coronary artery disease.

Chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) is a serious heart condition that involves narrowing of coronary arteries and results in limited blood flow to the heart, affecting hundreds of thousands of new patients each year.

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study will involve approximately 150 adult patients who are currently on maximal medical therapy and are not suitable candidates for conventional procedures to improve blood flow to the heart, such as angioplasty, stents, or coronary artery bypass surgery.

"Baxter's sponsorship of this trial is consistent with our mission to be a leader in providing innovative life-saving therapies, and to pursue new opportunities where our technology can potentially help save and sustain lives," said Dr Norbert Riedel, Baxter's chief scientific officer.